Sleeve lock assembly

ABSTRACT

A sleeve lock assembly for mounting to a sleeve may include a female ring member, a male ring member, and an annular locking member. The female ring member may include a threaded interior portion and an annular lip having an annular ramp surface. The male ring member may have an axial flange and a radial flange. The axial flange may have an annular end face and a threaded exterior portion for engaging the threaded interior portion of the female ring member. The locking member may include at least one annular gripping flange having a gripping edge. The locking member may be captured between the annular lip and the end face. Axial movement of the annular lip toward the end face may cause the gripping flange to slide against the ramp surface such that the gripping edge is urged into engagement with the outer sleeve surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional application of and claimspriority to pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/115,918 filed on May25, 2011, and entitled SLEEVE INSTALLATION SYSTEM AND METHOD, the entirecontents of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to cabling penetrations inwalls and floors and, more particularly, to systems and methods forproviding a sealed penetration in a wall or a floor and wherein thesystem is resistant to movement.

BACKGROUND

During the construction of a new building, numerous cables such ascommunications cables are typically routed to various locationsthroughout the building. The communications cables must pass throughmultiple walls and floors of the building. At locations where cablespass through a wall or a floor, a penetration is typically formed. Mostpenetrations are subject to fire codes which generally require that whencabling is passed through the penetration, the penetration is sealed toprevent the passage of smoke and flames through the penetration from oneroom into an adjacent room.

For existing structures, new cabling such as fiber optic cables orcopper communications cables may be routed to the building fromnewly-installed underground communications conduits. Undergroundcommunications conduits typically run generally horizontally toward theexterior side of a building and are then directed upwardly above theground surface at the exterior surface of the building. In order tocreate a pathway for entry of the cabling into the building, it isnecessary to form a penetration through the exterior wall of thebuilding. In order prevent the passage of moisture through thepenetration, it is typically necessary to seal the penetration.Furthermore, it is typically desirable to minimize movement of thecabling relative to the wall during seismic activity such that theintegrity of the penetration seal is maintained.

In view of the requirements for penetrations in buildings, there existsa need in the art for a system and method for forming a cablingpenetration in a wall wherein the penetration may be sealed against theelements such as dirt, debris, and water. In addition, there exists aneed in the art for a system and method for forming a penetration in awall wherein the cabling may be stabilized against movement relative tothe wall such that the integrity of the penetration seal may bemaintained. Ideally, such a system and method for forming a penetrationin a wall is of low cost and requires a minimal amount of time forinstallation.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The above-described needs associated with penetrations for cabling arespecifically addressed and alleviated by the present disclosure which,in an embodiment, provides a sleeve installation for a panel havingopposing panel sides and a penetration formed in the panel. The sleevemay have an outer sleeve surface and may extend at least partially intothe penetration. A sleeve lock assembly may be mounted to the sleeve.The sleeve lock assembly may include a female ring member that mayinclude a threaded interior portion and an annular lip. The sleeve lockassembly may further include a male ring member having an axial flangeand a radial flange. The axial flange may have an annular end face and athreaded exterior portion for engaging the threaded interior portion ofthe female ring member. The sleeve lock assembly may additionallyinclude an annular locking member having opposing ends defining a gaptherebetween. The locking member may include at least one annulargripping flange for engaging the outer sleeve surface. The sleeve lockassembly may be configured such that axial movement of the annular liptoward the end face may cause the gripping flange to engage the outersleeve surface.

In a further embodiment, a sleeve installation for a penetration in apanel may include a sleeve and a sleeve lock assembly. The sleeve mayhave an outer sleeve surface and may extend at least partially into thepenetration in the panel. The sleeve lock assembly may be mounted to thesleeve and may include a female ring member, a male ring member, and anannular locking member. The female ring member may include a threadedinterior portion and an annular lip. The annular lip may include anannular ramp surface. The male ring member may have an axial flange anda radial flange extending outwardly from the axial flange. The axialflange may have an annular end face and a threaded exterior portion forengaging the threaded interior portion of the female ring member. Thelocking member may have opposing ends defining a gap therebetween. Thelocking member may include a central band and at least one annulargripping flange having a gripping edge to engage the outer sleevesurface. The locking member may be captured between the annular lip andthe end face. Axial movement of the annular lip toward the end face maycause one of the gripping flanges to slide against the ramp surface suchthat the gripping edge is urged into engagement with the outer sleevesurface.

In a further embodiment, disclosed is a method of installing a sleeve ina panel having opposing panel sides and a penetration. The method mayinclude extending the sleeve at least partially into the penetrationsuch that the sleeve protrudes beyond at least one of the panel sides.The method may further include the steps of mounting a sleeve lockassembly on the sleeve by mounting a male ring member on the sleeve andproviding a female ring member having a threaded interior portion and anannular lip having an annular ramp surface. The method may additionallyinclude installing an annular locking member into the female ring memberwherein the locking member includes at least one annular grippingflange.

The threaded interior portion of the female ring member may bethreadably engaged to the threaded exterior portion of the male ringmember such that the locking member is captured between the annular lipand an end face of the male ring member. The method may further includerotating the male and female ring members relative to one another tocause relative axial motion of the male and female ring members suchthat one of the gripping flanges slides against the ramp surface. Themethod may additionally include engaging the gripping flanges to thesleeve outer surface in response to rotation of the male and female ringmembers relative to one another. The method may also include preventingmovement of the sleeve lock assembly relative to the sleeve in responseto the engagement of the gripping flanges into the sleeve outer surface.

The features, functions and advantages that have been discussed can beachieved independently in various embodiments of the present disclosureor may be combined in yet other embodiments, further details of whichcan be seen with reference to the following description and drawingsbelow

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the present disclosure will become moreapparent upon reference to the drawings wherein like numerals refer tolike parts throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sleeve installation and illustrating a groundcommunications conduit coupled to a junction box mounted to a side of awall and further illustrating a pair of sleeve lock assemblies formounting a sleeve to a penetration formed in the wall;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the sleeve installation taken along line 2 ofFIG. 1 and illustrating the ground communications conduit joined to thejunction box and further illustrating one of the sleeve lock assembliesmounted to the sleeve inside the junction box;

FIG. 3 is an sectional view of the sleeve installation taken along line3 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the sleeve lock assemblies mounted to thewall with the junction box omitted for clarity;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a sleeve and the componentsthat make up the sleeve lock assembly;

FIG. 5 is a side section view of a female ring member, an annularlocking member, and a male ring member of the sleeve lock assembly;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a portion of the sleeve lock assembly andillustrating the sleeve, the male and female ring members, and thelocking member wherein the locking member is disengaged from the sleeveouter surface;

FIG. 7 is sectional view of a portion of the sleeve lock assemblywherein the locking member is engaged to the sleeve outer surface;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the annular locking member in an alternativeembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the locking member taken along line9 of FIG. 8 and illustrating an intermediate flange formed in thecompression ring;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the locking member taken along line 10 ofFIG. 9 and illustrating one or more mechanical features that may beformed in a gripping edge of the intermediate flange;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the locking member taken along line 11 of FIG.10 and illustrating the one or more mechanical features that may beformed in the gripping edges of the gripping flanges and intermediateflange;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the annular locking member in a furtherembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the locking member taken along line13 of FIG. 12 and illustrating an alternative embodiment of theintermediate flange formed in the compression ring; and

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating one or more operations that may beincluded in a methodology for installing a sleeve in a wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating preferred and various embodiments of the disclosure, shownin FIGS. 1-2 are illustrations of a penetration 106 through an exteriorwall of a building using a sleeve 12 or a conduit 13 and a pair ofsleeve lock assemblies 10 mounted to the sleeve 12 or conduit 13. Thesleeve 12 may provide a means to route cabling 120 through a wall orpanel 100. The conduit 13 may comprise any type of conduit including,but not limited to, electrical conduit and plumbing pipe. The sleevelock assemblies 10 advantageously couple the sleeve 12 or the conduit 13to the wall or panel 100 in a manner preventing axial movement of thesleeve 12 or conduit 13 relative to the wall or panel 100. In addition,each sleeve lock assembly 10 provides a means for sealing thepenetration 106 in the wall against the passage of moisture and/ordebris. For interior walls or panels 100, the sleeve lock assembly 10advantageously provides a means for sealing the penetration 106 againstthe passage of smoke, fire and other undesirable elements. Although theembodiments disclosed herein are described in the context of mounting asleeve 12 of relatively short length to a penetration in a wall or panel100 using one or more sleeve lock assemblies 10, the sleeve lockassemblies 10 may also be used to mount a conduit 13 (e.g., electricalconduit, plumbing pipe) of relatively long length to a penetration in awall or a panel 100.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, the sleeve lock assembly 10 may behoused within a junction box 112. The junction box 112 may be mounted tothe wall such as an exterior wall of a building. The junction box 112may function as a termination point for cabling 120 that may be routedto the junction box 112 through an exterior conduit 118. In anembodiment, the junction box 112 may be included with the sleeve 12installation to provide an enclosure for cabling 120 connections andfittings. The junction box 112 may be a NEMA-rated (National ElectricalManufacturer Association) to provide protection against dust, dirt,debris, water, and ice damage.

The exterior conduit 118 may provide a means for routing utilities(e.g., communications, electrical power, plumbing, etc.) to thebuilding. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, the exterior conduit 118may include a vertical portion comprised of rigid metallic conduit (RMC)extending upwardly from an underground 116 portion of the exteriorconduit 118. The underground 116 portion of the exterior conduit 118 maybe formed of any suitable material such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) orother suitable material. The exterior conduit 118 may house one or morecables such as communications cabling 120 including, but not limited to,fiber optic cabling, copper cabling, and other types of cabling. In thisregard, the exterior conduit 118 may house any type of cabling and isnot limited to communications cabling. Furthermore, the exterior conduit118 may comprise exterior plumbing lines or exterior piping or any othertype of conduit or piping for housing any one of a variety of differentutilities.

The sleeve 12 may be installed in the penetration 106 such that thesleeve 12 protrudes beyond each side 102 of the wall or panel 100. Thesleeve 12 may be provided in a length such that a portion of the sleeve12 protrudes from each side 102 of the panel 100 by an amount thatallows for mounting one of the sleeve lock assemblies 10. For example,the sleeve 12 may be provided in a length of approximately twelve (12)to eighteen (18) inches such that several inches of the sleeve 12protrudes from each side 102 of the wall or panel 100. However, asindicated above, a conduit 13 of relatively long length may be installedin the penetration 106 such that relatively long portions (not shown) ofthe conduit 13 may protrude from each side of the panel 100. Althoughnot shown, the portions of the conduit may be jointed to other conduits.The conduit 13 may be configured to house or contain any one of avariety of objects including, but not limited to, fluids includingliquids such as water, fuel, oil, and also including gasses such asnatural gas, air, or other types of gas. The conduit 13 may also beconfigured to contain wiring, cabling, and any one of a variety of otherobjects, without limitation.

For the installation illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the sleeve 12 may passthrough the penetration 106 and enter the junction box 112 through anopening (not shown) that may be formed in a back wall 114 of thejunction box 112. The sleeve 12 may protrude into the junction box 112by approximately one (1) inch although the amount of the protrusion maybe selected based upon the dimensions (e.g., diameter) of the sleevelock assembly 10. The back wall 114 of the junction box 112 may becaptured or sandwiched between the sleeve lock assembly 10 and the panel100 side 102.

FIG. 2 further illustrates cabling 120 extending out of the exteriorconduit 118 and which may be coupled or connected to cabling 120 passingthrough the sleeve 12. The cabling 120 passing through the sleeve 12 maybe sealed within the sleeve interior 16 to provide a barrier againstmoisture, debris, and other elements. For example, a cabling sealant 122may be installed within the sleeve interior 16 and may be formed aroundthe cabling 120. For installations where the sleeve 12 passes through anexterior wall, the cabling sealant 122 may be formed of awater-resistant material and may prevent the intrusion of rain, sleet,melted snow or ice, and debris such as dust, insects and otherundesirable elements.

Although FIGS. 1-2 illustrate the mounting of the sleeve 12 and sleevelock assemblies 10 on a penetration 106 in an exterior wall through ajunction box 112, the present disclosure includes the installation ofthe sleeve 12 and sleeve lock assemblies 10 in a penetration 106 in aninterior wall or in other building elements. For interior walls, thecabling 120 shown in FIG. 2 may be sealed within the sleeve interior 16with a fire-stopping system such as mineral wool covered with putty orother suitable sealant systems for preventing the passage of smoke, heatand flames through the sleeve 12. In this regard, it should be notedthat the sleeve 12 and sleeve lock assemblies 10 may be installed inpenetrations 106 formed in any type of panel 100, without limitation.For example, the panel 100 may comprise an interior or exterior wall asdescribed above. In addition, the panel 100 may comprise any type ofpartition, floor, ceiling, divider, membrane, plate, or any otherelement, without limitation, where a penetration 106 is required forpassage of conduit, cabling or other items.

Referring to FIG. 3, shown is an enlarged sectional view of the sleeve12 installation illustrating the sleeve lock assemblies 10 mounted onthe sleeve 12 on opposite sides 102 of a panel 100 (e.g., wall) with thejunction box omitted for clarity. The sleeve 12 may extend through thepenetration 106 in the panel 100 such that the sleeve 12 preferablyprotrudes beyond each one of the panel sides 102. However, it iscontemplated that for certain installation (not shown), the sleeve 12may extend partially into the penetration 106 such that the sleeve 12protrudes beyond one of the panel sides 102 with a single one of thesleeve lock assemblies 10 being mounted to the protruding portion of thesleeve 12.

In FIG. 3, the penetration 106 may have a cylindrical inner surface 108that is preferably formed at a size larger in diameter that the diameteror size of the sleeve 12 such that an annular gap is formed between theouter sleeve surface 14 and the penetration inner surface 108. Forexample, for an approximately four (4) inch diameter sleeve 12, apenetration 106 diameter of approximately five (5) inches may be formedin a panel 100 such as a wall. If the sleeve 12 is centered within thepenetration 106, an annular gap of approximately 0.5 inch may be formedbetween the inner surface 108 of the penetration 106 and the outersleeve surface 14. A penetration sealant 110 such as silicone caulkingor other sealant material may be installed within the annular gap toreduce or prevent the passage of water, air, smoke or other debristhrough the annular gap.

Referring to FIG. 4, shown is an exploded view of the sleeve 12 and thecomponents that make up the sleeve lock assembly 10. The sleeve 12 maybe formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having an outer sleevesurface 14 and including a sleeve interior 16 and opposing sleeve ends18. The sleeve 12 may be formed of a metallic material such as steel,aluminum or other metallic material. For example, the sleeve 12 maypreferably be formed of relatively thin gauge electrical metallic tubing(EMT) or relatively thick gauge rigid metallic conduit (RMC) in anysuitable size such as in one (1) inch diameter up to ten (10) inches indiameter. However, the sleeve 12 may be provided in diameters that maybe larger or smaller than the 1-10 inch range. The sleeve 12 maycomprise plumbing pipe formed of copper, brass, steel, iron, or anyother suitable material and in diameters ranging from one (1) inchdiameter up to eight (8) inches in diameter although diameters larger orsmaller than the 1-8 inch range are contemplated. The sleeve 12 may alsobe formed of plumbing pipe or water pipe, or other types of piping.

Depending on the installation (i.e., residential, commercial,industrial) and local building codes, the sleeve 12 may also be formedof polymeric materials such as high strength plastic material including,but not limited to, polystyrene or polyethylene. In addition, the sleeve12 may be formed of composite materials such as graphite/epoxy compositematerial or carbon/fiber composite material. In this regard, thematerial from which the sleeve 12 is formed is preferably a relativelyhigh-strength material having a relative high temperature rating tocomply with fire codes or other building code requirements. It shouldalso be noted that any of the above-mentioned sizes and materials forforming the relatively short length of the sleeve 12 may be used informing a relatively long length of conduit 13 that may be mounted tothe penetration 106.

Referring to FIGS. 4-5, the components of the sleeve lock assembly 10may comprise a female ring member 20, a male ring member 40, and anannular locking member 60. The female ring member 20 may include acollar 22 having a threaded interior portion 24 with threads 26 formedthereon. In addition, the female ring member 20 may include asubstantially cylindrical annular lip 28 formed on an end of the femalering member 20 opposite the threaded interior portion 24. As best seenin FIG. 5, the annular lip 28 may be directed radially-inwardly and mayinclude an annular inner surface 30 and an annular ramp surface 32. Theannular lip 28 may be provided in a size (e.g., diameter) allowing theannular lip 28 to be slidably mounted to the sleeve 12. As best seen inFIG. 4, the collar 22 may include one or more external surfaces 34 suchas a plurality of flats 36 or other surfaces feature. For example, theflats 36 of the collar 22 may be formed in a hex shape to facilitateengagement of the female ring member 20 with a device for rotating thefemale ring member 20. Alternatively, the female ring member 20 may beprovided with mechanical surface features such as a knurled surface tofacilitate manually gripping the female ring member 20 and rotating thefemale ring member 20 and/or applying torque to the female ring member20.

The male ring member 40 may include an axial flange 42 and a radialflange 44. The radial flange 44 may extend radially outwardly from theaxial flange 42 and may include an outer edge 52 having surface features54 such as scallops, detents, flats 36, knurls, and/or other features tofacilitate gripping the radial flange 44 for rotation thereof. Theradial flange 44 may be provided in a size (e.g., a diameter) that islarger than the penetration 106 diameter. In addition, the radial flange44 may be sized to provide an amount of surface area for bearing againstand/or sealing against a panel 100 (e.g., a wall) or sealing against agasket 104 that may optionally be inserted between the panel 100 and themale ring member 40. For example, for a four (4) inch diameter sleeve 12passing through a five (5) inch diameter penetration 106, the radialflange 44 may be provided in a diameter of up to approximately 8-12inches or larger although sizes smaller than eight (8) inches arecontemplated for the radial flange 44 diameter. The radial flange 44 mayalso be sized with a relatively large diameter to facilitate rotatingthe male and female ring members 40, 20 relative to one another. As usedwith regard to the radial flange 44, the term diameter is in generalreference to the diameter across the outwardmost points on the radialflange 44 accounting for scallops or other features that may be includedwith the radial flange 44.

Referring still to FIGS. 4-5, the axial flange 42 of the male ringmember 40 may be sized and configured to be slidably mounted onto thesleeve 12. The axial flange 42 may be provided in a substantiallycylindrical shape. The axial flange 42 may additionally have a threadedexterior portion 46 including threads 48 for engaging the threads 26 ofthe threaded interior portion 24 of the female ring member 20 as shownin FIGS. 6-7 and described below. In FIGS. 4-5, the male ring member 40may further include an annular end face 50 for engaging the lockingmember 60 in a manner as is described below.

The annular locking member 60 may have a generally discontinuouscircumference and opposing ends 62 defining a gap 64 therebetween. Inthe embodiment shown, the gap 64 may be serpentine-shaped which mayminimize or prevent a line-of-sight path for moisture intrusion past thelocking member 60. The serpentine-shaped gap 64 may result from anS-shaped configuration of each one of the ends 62 of the locking member60 as shown in FIG. 5. Advantageously, the serpentine-shaped gap 64 mayadditionally increase the circumferential length of the gripping flanges68 of the locking member 60 relative to the circumferential length ofgripping flanges having simple butt cut ends (not shown) formed at aninety-degree angle (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 4-5, the locking member 60 may comprise a central band66 and at least two annular inwardly-extending gripping flanges 68 onaxially opposite sides 72 of the central band 66. The gripping flanges68 may be oriented at a non-perpendicular angle relative to an axis 74of the locking member 60. The angled orientation of the gripping flanges68 may facilitate compression of the locking member 60 against the outersleeve surface 14 as shown in FIG. 7. Each one of the gripping flanges68 may have a gripping edge 70 that may be configured to engage theouter sleeve surface 14 (FIG. 7). In an optional embodiment, thegripping flanges 68 may include a plurality of protuberances (not shown)or raised mechanical features (not shown) formed on the gripping edges70 to enhance the engagement of the gripping edges 70 to the outersleeve surfaces 14 (FIG. 7).

The locking member 60 may preferably be formed of metallic material suchas steel or other high strength and/or high hardness metallic materialfor engaging the outer sleeve surface 14 in a manner preventing axialmovement of the sleeve lock assembly 10 relative to the sleeve 12.Although steel may be a preferred material for the locking member 60,any material having sufficient hardness may be used. In addition, thematerial for the locking member 60 is preferably resilient such that thelocking member 60 may be retained within the female ring member 20 whenthe female ring member 20 is removed from the sleeve 12. In this regard,the locking member 60 may be formed such that the central band 66 has anunrestrained diameter (i.e., when removed from the female ring member20) that is larger than the diameter of the inner surface 30 of thefemale ring member 20. The diameter of the locking member 60 ispreferably sized to minimize the gap 64 between the ends 62 of thelocking member 60 when the locking member 60 is compressed against theouter sleeve surface 14 to improve the sealing capability.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6-7, the locking member 60 may be capturedbetween the annular lip 28 of the female ring member 20 and the end face50 of the male ring member 40 when the male member is threadably engagedto the female ring member 20 and mounted on the sleeve 12. As shown inFIG. 6, the locking member 60 may be biased against the inner surface 30of the female ring member 20. The annular gripping flanges 68 may bespaced away from the outer sleeve surface 14. When the male and femalering members 40, 20 and the locking member 60 are mounted on the sleeve12 and threadably engaged to one another, relative rotation of therotation of male and female ring members 40, 20 may result in axialmovement of the annular lip 28 toward the end face 50 along thedirection 82.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the gripping flanges 68 come into contact withthe end face 50 and the ramp surface 32, one of the gripping flanges 68may slide relative to the ramp surface 32 resulting in the lockingmember 60 compressing radially inwardly along the direction 80 until thegripping edges 70 engage the outer sleeve surface 14. In this manner,the gripping flanges 68 may provide sealing capability against thesleeve 12. The sealing capability may be enhanced by optionallyincluding locking member sealant 78 in a concave region 76 of thelocking member 60. The concave region 76 may be bounded by the grippingflanges 68 and the central band 66. The locking member sealant 78 maycomprise silicone sealant or other sealant that may adhere to thelocking member and/or outer sleeve surface 14 and which may providesealing capability against water and debris.

Referring to FIG. 8-11, shown are views of the annular locking member 60in an alternative embodiment having an intermediate flange 69 formed inthe locking member 60 between the gripping flanges 68. As can be seen inFIG. 8, the intermediate flange 69 may extend substantially around acircumference of the locking member 60 in a manner similar to thegripping flanges 68. FIG. 9 illustrates a cross section of the lockingmember 60 showing an embodiment of the intermediate flange 69 having aV-shape that may be integrally formed in the locking member 60. Theintermediate flange 69 may be formed by rolling the V-shape into thecentral band 66 of the locking member 60 using a pair of matched rollerdies (not shown). The V-shape of the intermediate flange 69 may providesome degree of resilient flexibility or compressibility to theintermediate flange 69 when the locking member 60 is compressed bytightening the female ring member 20 onto the male ring member 40 asdescribed above with regard to FIGS. 6-7. Although shown as beinggenerally centered between the gripping flanges 68, the intermediateflange 69 may be biased toward one of the gripping flanges 68. Evenfurther, although FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a single intermediate flange 69,any number of intermediate flanges 69 may be provided between thegripping flanges 68. Each one of the intermediate flanges 69 may have alength that extends downwardly from the central band 66 to approximatelythe same radial distance as the gripping flanges 68 such that all of thegripping edges 70 may at least partially engage the sleeve 12.

Referring to FIGS. 10-11, the gripping edges 70 of the gripping flanges68 and/or intermediate flange 69 may be provided with mechanicalfeatures 71 such as indentations, hash marks, protuberances, or othermechanical features 71. The mechanical features 71 may increase theengagement of the locking member 60 to the sleeve 12 and may provideincreased resistance to axial or rotational movement of the lockingmember 60 relative to the sleeve 12. In this regard, the mechanicalfeatures 71 on the gripping edges 70 may be driven at least partiallyinto the outer surface of the sleeve 12 when the locking member 60 iscompressed radially inwardly along the direction 80 in FIG. 7. Inaddition, the mechanical features 71 shown in FIGS. 10-11 may increasethe sealing capability of the gripping edges 70 with the sleeve 12. Thesealing capability may be further increased by including locking membersealant 78 (FIG. 7) in the concave regions 76 defined by the grippingflanges 68 and intermediate flanges 69 as shown in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 12-13, shown is an alternative embodiment of theintermediate flange 69 that may be formed in the locking member 60. Asshown in FIG. 12, the intermediate flange 69 may extend substantiallyaround the circumference of the locking member 60 similar to theintermediate flange 69 shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectionalview of the locking member 60 illustrating the intermediate flange 69extending radially inwardly from the central band 66 such that thecentral band 66 and the intermediate flange 69 form a T shape. Theintermediate flange 69 in FIG. 13 may be integrally formed with thelocking member 60 such as by casting or other suitable forming process.Although shown as extending generally perpendicularly from the centralband 66, the intermediate flange 69 may be oriented at any anglerelative to the central band 66.

The angle of orientation of the intermediate flange 69 and grippingflanges 68 may be selected to provide a desired degree ofcompressibility of the locking member 60 in the direction 80 (FIG. 7)when the female ring member 20 is moved in the axial direction 82relative to the male ring member 40 in FIG. 7. For example, a relativelylow degree of compressibility of the locking member 60 may be providedby orienting the intermediate flange 69 generally perpendicularlyrelative to the central band 66 as shown in FIG. 13 and which mayincrease the engagement of the locking member 60 to the sleeve 12.Conversely, by forming the intermediate flange 69 at a non-perpendicularangle relative to the central band 66, the locking member 60 may have arelatively higher degree of compressibility which may provide improvedsealing capability of the locking member 60 to the sleeve 12 due to theability of the locking member 60 to compress and conform to the outersleeve surface 14 (FIG. 7). In this regard, mechanical features 71 suchas indentations and/or protuberances shown in FIGS. 10-11 may be formedin gripping edges 70 of the intermediate flange 69 and/or grippingflanges 68 of FIG. 13 to increase the engagement of the locking member60 to the sleeve 12 and to improve the sealing capability of thegripping edges 70 with the sleeve 12 as described above. Locking membersealant 78 (FIG. 7) may be included in the concave regions 76 defined bythe gripping flanges 68 and intermediate flanges 69 as shown in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 14, shown are one or more operations that may beincluded, in whole or in part, in a methodology 200 of installing asleeve 12 in a panel 100. The methodology 200 may be implemented for theinstallation of a sleeve 12 in a panel 100 of any type, withoutlimitation. For example, the methodology 200 may be implemented forinstallation of a sleeve 12 in a wall, a floor, a membrane, a plate, orany other element or structural member where a penetration 106 isrequired.

Step 202 of the methodology 200 may include forming a penetration 106 ina panel 100 and installing a sleeve 12 in the penetration 106 as shownin FIG. 3. The sleeve 12 may be installed such that the sleeve 12protrudes beyond each one of opposing panel sides 102. However, it iscontemplated that the sleeve 12 may be installed such that the sleeve 12protrudes from one of the sides 102 of the panel 100.

Step 204 of the methodology 200 may further comprise installingpenetration sealant 110 within an annular gap that may be formed betweenthe outer sleeve surface 14 and the inner surface 108 of the penetration106 as shown in FIG. 3. The diameter of the penetration 106 and sleeve12 are preferably such that the size of the annular gap is minimized tominimize or eliminate the need for penetration sealant 110. If included,the penetration sealant 110 may be provided as water-proof based sealantsuch as room-temperature-curable (RTV) sealant including silicone-basedsealant, rubber-based sealant or other sealant compositions.

Step 206 of the methodology 200 may include mounting one of the sleevelock assemblies 10 to the sleeve 12 on one of the panel sides 102 byperforming the following steps. The installation of one of the sleevelock assembles 10 may be performed in Steps 208 to 222 described below.

Step 208 of the methodology 200 may include mounting a disc-shapedannular gasket 104 over the sleeve 12 and positioning the gasket 104 insubstantially contacting relation with the panel side 102. The gasket104 may preferably be formed of a resiliently elastic, water-resistantmaterial such as rubber or other polymeric material that is resilientlydeformable and may seal against a rough surface finish of an interior orexterior wall of a building or a floor or ceiling of a building.

Step 210 of the methodology 200 may comprise mounting a male ring member40 on the sleeve 12. The male ring member 40 may be installed as shownin FIG. 3 wherein the radial flange may be placed in contacting relationto the panel side 102 or against the gasket 104, if included. The outerdiameter of the radial flange 44 is preferably no larger than the outerdiameter of the gasket 104 such that a substantial entirety of thesurface area of the radial flange is in contact with the gasket 104.

Step 212 of the methodology 200 may include providing a female ringmember 20 configured as described above. The female ring member 20 mayinclude the cylindrical inner surface 30 and the annular ramp surface 32for containing the locking member 60.

Step 214 of the methodology 200 may comprise installing the annularlocking member 60 into the female ring member 20. The central band 66 ofthe locking member 60 may be retained against the inner surface 30 ofthe female ring member 20. In addition, the gripping flanges 68 may beformed at an angle that is complementary to the angle of the rampsurface 32 such that the gripping flange 68 may slide against the rampsurface 32.

Step 216 of the methodology 200 may include mounting the female ringmember 20 over the sleeve 12. The threaded interior portion 24 of thefemale ring member 20 may be engaged with the threaded exterior portion46 of the male ring member 40 as shown in FIG. 6 such that the lockingmember 60 is captured between the annular lip 28 and the end face 50.

Step 218 of the methodology 200 may comprise rotating the male andfemale ring members 40, 20 relative to one another to cause relativeaxial motion of the male and female ring members 40, 20. Referring toFIG. 7, relative rotation of the male and female ring members 40, 20 maycause the female ring member 20 to move toward the male ring member 40along the direction shown 82.

Step 220 of the methodology 200 may include engaging the grippingflanges 68 to the outer sleeve surface 14 in response to rotation of themale and female ring members 40, 20 relative to one another. As shown inFIG. 7, the gripping flanges 68 may be oriented at a non-perpendicularangle relative to the axis 74 of the locking member 60 to facilitateengagement of the locking member with the outer sleeve surface 14 alongthe direction 80.

Step 222 of the methodology 200 may comprise preventing movement of thesleeve lock assembly 10 relative to the sleeve 12 as a result of theengagement of the gripping flanges 68 with the outer sleeve surface 14.In this manner, axial movement of the sleeve 12 relative to the panel100 may be prevented.

Following the installation of a sleeve lock assembly 10 on one side ofthe panel 100, Steps 208 through 222 may be repeated to install a secondsleeve lock assembly 10 on the opposite side 102 of the panel 100.During installation of the second sleeve lock assembly 10, the radialflanges 44 of the sleeve lock assemblies 10 on opposite sides 102 of thepanel 100 may be compressed toward one another to remove axial play andto improve the sealing of the radial flanges 44 against the gaskets 104on each side of the panel 100.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come tomind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains havingthe benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions andthe associated drawings. The embodiments described herein are meant tobe illustrative and are not intended to be limiting or exhaustive.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sleeve lock assembly, comprising: a male ringmember slidably mountable on a sleeve having an outer sleeve surface,the male ring member having an axial flange and a radial flange, theaxial flange having an annular end face and a threaded exterior portion,the male ring member being monolithic; a female ring member including acollar having a threaded interior portion and an annular lip, thethreaded interior portion configured to threadably engage the threadedexterior portion of the male ring member; an annular locking memberhaving opposing ends defining a gap therebetween, the locking memberincluding at least one annular gripping flange for engaging the outersleeve surface, the annular locking member being configured such thataxial movement of the annular lip toward the annular end face duringthreadable engagement of the threaded interior portion onto the threadedexterior portion causes the annular gripping flange to be compressedradially inwardly and engage the outer sleeve surface; and the annularlocking member having one or more mechanical features including at leastone of indentations, hashmarks, and protuberances formed in at least onegripping edge of the at least one gripping flange, the mechanicalfeatures configured to be driven at least partially into the outersleeve surface when the locking member is compressed radially inwardly.2. The sleeve lock assembly of claim 1, wherein: the at least oneannular gripping flange comprises a pair of annular gripping flanges. 3.The sleeve lock assembly of claim 2, wherein: the locking member furtherincludes an intermediate flange located between a pair of annulargripping flanges.
 4. The sleeve lock assembly of claim 2, wherein: thelocking member includes a central band; the annular gripping flanges andthe central band defining at least one concave region; and a lockingmember sealant installed within the concave region in a manner such thatthe sealant seals the locking member to the outer sleeve surface.
 5. Thesleeve lock assembly of claim 1, wherein: the radial flange of the malering member includes an outer edge having surface features including atleast one of the following: scallops, detents, flats, knurls.
 6. Thesleeve lock assembly of claim 1, wherein: the collar of the female ringmember has one or more external surfaces formed as a plurality of flats.7. The sleeve lock assembly of claim 6, wherein: the flats form a hexshape.
 8. The sleeve lock assembly of claim 6, wherein: the gap in theannular locking member has a serpentine shape preventing a line-of-sightpath along an axial direction of the annular locking member.